A systematic review looking at the validity of telehealth as a method of conducting physiotherapy assessment.
Outcome: Performing physiotherapy assessments using synchronous forms of telehealth appears valid and reliable for specific assessment types in limited populations
Zischke C, Simas V, Hing W, Milne N, Spittle A, Pope R. The utility of physiotherapy assessments delivered by telehealth: A systematic review. J Glob Health. 2021;11:04072. Published 2021 Dec 18. doi:10.7189/jogh.11.04072
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This study is a to systematic review to examine the impact and effectiveness of telehealth-delivered psycho-educational and behavioural interventions among persons with dementia and their caregivers.
Yi, M. Y., Kim, M. J., Lee, J. Y., & Kim, S. K. (2020). Telehealth interventions in dementia care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatric Nursing, 41(5), 562-571.
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Article on the rise of telemedicine and telhealth in the USA since the Covid-19 Pandemic
Shaver, J. (2022) The state of telehealth before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Primary care. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9035352/ (Accessed: May 5, 2023).
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Article that looks at a randomised controlled trial testing the validity of a UK based service called PhysioDirect that was trialled across 4 locations.
Conclusions:PhysioDirect is equally clinically effective compared with usual care, provides faster access to physiotherapy, and seems to be safe. However, it could be associated with slightly lower patient satisfaction.
Salisbury, C., Foster, A., Lattimer, V., & Pickin, M. (2013). Effectiveness of PhysioDirect telephone assessment and advice services for patients with musculoskeletal problems: pragmatic randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 346, f43.
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Study that looked at the comparison of patients diagnoses undertaken face 2 face and online. The paper demonstrates a 89% similarity between the two methods demonstrating that telehealth is a valid method of diagnosis for lower limb MSK assessments.
Richardson BR, Truter P, Blumke R, Russell TG. Physiotherapy assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders of the knee via telerehabilitation. J Telemed Telecare. 2017;23(1):88-95. doi:10.1177/1357633X15627237
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Journal discussing the benefits of communication in patient / physiotherapist interactions. Demonstrates evidence that telehealth can be more effective due to focus and lack of distraction. It also evidences the change of locus of control from the reliance on the physiotherapist to the patient taking a greater level of self efficacy in their rehabilitation.
Pugliese M, Wolff A. The Value of Communication, Education, and Self-Management in Providing Guideline-Based Care: Lessons Learned from Musculoskeletal Telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 Crisis. HSS Journal®. 2020;16(1_suppl):160-163. doi:10.1007/s11420-020-09784-2
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“I was really sceptical…But it worked really well”: a qualitative study of patient perceptions of telephone-delivered exercise therapy by physiotherapists for people with knee osteoarthritis
Lawford, B. J., Delany, C., Bennell, K. L., & Hinman, R. S. (2018). Qualitative study of patient perceptions of telephone-delivered exercise therapy. Patient preference and adherence, 12, 1753-1763.
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Website article about the potential risks of malpractice via misdiagnosis
Brick, M. (2022) Telehealth and the risks of medical malpractice, The Risk of Medical Malpractice in Telehealth. Available at: https://openloophealth.com/blog/telehealth-and-the-risks-of-medical-malpractice (Accessed: May 6, 2023).
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